I have been hemming and hawing around about what to post on here for quite some time. This is, after all, supposed to be a blog about my journey to getting fit and healthy. Unfortunately that has not been where I have been heading over the past several months Actually closer to a year.
When I finished the Biggest Winner competition last May, my ending weight was 423 lbs. As I stated then, that was a 28 lb. loss for the competition and should have been the beginning of a continued weight loss. Well that didn't happen and by the end of August I was up to 455 lbs. The next time I weighed in towards the middle of September I was up another 3 lbs. to 458. I didn't step on the scale again until a couple of weeks ago when I was at 455 again.
The reason I bring this up is that I need to get my weight under control and I know the largest component of that is to watch my eating. I need to stop just eating everything in sight and not eat for enjoyment. I need to understand, fundamentally that fuel is fuel for my body and I only need a certain amount for it, not to over fuel it because that excess needs to go somewhere and it is going to fat. I need to really get a handle on my eating. If I do this, then I know I can get to where I need to be, where I can do the things I want to do and my weight is not holding me back.
My wife and daughter watch a TV show called My 600 lb. life. It follows individuals who go to talk with a doctor in Texas and have gastric bypass surgery. It shows their transformation over the course of a year or so. These people are losing a good deal of weight. I would say that on average about 200 lbs. over that year. They have both been saying that I need to get that surgery.
This has been an eye opener for me - they are worried about me and are pushing me to get surgery because of their worry. While I don't doubt that the surgery is an effective way to lose weight, I have seen the stories where over time, people who have ad the surgery have managed to expand their new, small stomachs and have gained back the weight in 3 to 5 years after losing it. What I see is that there needs to be a fundamental shift in their relationship with food in order to become healthy and maintain the weight loss.
Yes, I understand that this can be a trigger to make the changes one needs to become healthy, but I think if I can make the changes myself, then I will be in a better position and not have to risk going through surgery. Let's face it, while it is a lot safer than it used to be, anytime someone is put under anesthetic and surgery is performed there is risk. That risk is increased for someone of my size.
So, what I have proposed to Michele, is that I will take the next 6 months to get my mind right and get moving towards a healthier, lighter me. I have pledged that if I do not lose at least 80 lbs. over the next 6 months, then I will call the doctor and make an appointment to talk about the surgery. Towards that end, I got on the scale last night and it read 458 lbs. That means by August 7 I need to weigh less than 378. I know I can do this. I need to focus on eating the right things in the right quantities and getting my butt moving more than it has been.
I plan on riding my bike and walking more than I have. I plan on eating the right whole, natural foods, primarily following the Paleo Diet as it seems to be a good choice for me. I will post updates of my progress at least weekly on here so that you can hold me accountable and follow my journey.
Here is to another new beginning, this time I am planning on making a significant, permanent change.
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